[General] on pins and needles/fuss and bother/put on/put on airs/give yourself airs

If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please note that posts from new users are now moderated. If you have just joined this forum and post a new message it will be held in the moderation queue until a member of staff approves it. Please be patient and our staff will review your submission as soon as possible.

on pins and needles/fuss and bother/put on/put on airs/give yourself airs

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I have been on pins and needles all week long until she sent word that everything was all right.
Jane's mother was on pins and needles because Jane was very late getting home from school.
Many famous actors are on pins and needles before the curtain opens for a play.
on pins and needles = nervously anxious

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him he was a liar but I didn’t want a row to be started.
on the tip of one's tongue = ready to utter something

It’s more fuss and bother than it’s worth.

fuss and bother = fuss and bother is what is involved in being too anxious or careful about doing something exactly right

He’s not seriously hurt. He’s just putting it on.That’s his usual way.

He put on a pretense of bravery, but we all knew that it was false.

put on = assume affectedly, pretend to

The fact that her parents own a villa in Capri is no reason for Amanda to keep putting on airs.

put on airs = to show conceit; act in a superior or condescending manner

Re: on pins and needles/fuss and bother/put on/put on airs/give yourself airs

Originally Posted by vil

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I have been on pins all week long until she sent word that everything was all right.
Jane's mother was on pins because Jane was very late getting home from school.
Many famous actors are on pins before the curtain opens for a play.on pins = nervously anxious

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him he was a liar but I didnít want a row to be started.
on the tip of one's tongue = ready to utter something

Itís more fuss and bother than itís worth.

fuss and bother = fuss and bother is what is involved in being too anxious or careful about doing something exactly right

Heís not seriously hurt. Heís just putting it on.Thatís his usual way.

He put on a pretense of bravery, but we all knew that it was false.

put on = assume affectedly, pretend to

The fact that her parents own a villa in Capri is no reason for Amanda to keep putting on airs.

put on airs = to show conceit; act in a superior or condescending manner

Donít give yourself airs! It makes you look ridiculous.

give oneself airs = to act pretentiously, or in a snobbish manner

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

On pins = nervous

pins and needles = tingling in fingers or other body parts as a result of return of circulation after blood supply temporarily cut off.

Re: on pins and needles/fuss and bother/put on/put on airs/give yourself airs

Originally Posted by vil

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

He’s not seriously hurt. He’s just putting it on. That’s his usual way.Can be expressed this way:Is he seriously hurt or just putting it on that way as usual?
He put on a pretense of bravery, but we all knew that it was false.

put on = assume affectedly, pretend to=to pretend to have a particular feeling or way of behaving which is not real or natural to you

The fact that her parents own a villa in Capri is no reason for Amanda to keep putting on airs.Pay no attention to her. She is just putting on airs.
put on airs = to show conceit; act in a superior or condescending manner

Don’t give yourself airs! It makes you look ridiculously funny.

give oneself airs = to act pretentiously, or in a snobbish manner
Thank you for your efforts.